Apparatus for refining asphaltum



(N9 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. A. P. L. BELL. APPARATUS POR REFINING ASPHALTUM.

No. 580,592. Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

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APPARATUS FOR `REI'HQINE ASPHALTUM.

Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

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(No Model.)

A.1".L.BBLL. APPARATUS FOR REFINING ASPHALTUM.

No. 580,592. Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR F. L. BELL, OF CARPENTERIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALCATRAZ ASPHALT COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS Fon REFINING ASPHALTUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,592, dated April 13, 1897.

Application filed October 21, 1895. .Serial No. 566,402. (No model.) l

To tu whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. L. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carpenteria, county of Santa Barbara, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Reiining Asphaltum; and

I hereby declare the following to be a full,`

clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to the general class of relining apparatus, and particularly to apparatus for refining asphaltum; and it consists of the parts and the constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a general view of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of the reducing or mixing drum in the plane of its axis. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of said drum on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the air or steam admission mechanism. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the valve itself. Fig. G is a section showing the charge-gate upon the reducing or mixing drum. Fig. 7 is a detail of the measuring-tank. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the settling-tanks, a portion being broken away to show the screw conveyer in its bottom. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line x 0o of Fig. 8. Fig. lO is a crosssection of the steam jacketed conveyingtrough between the settling-tank and the cooling-tank- A in Fig. l are the furnaces by which the necessary heat is supplied, although in some cases I may make the drum steam-jacketed and dispense with direct lire.

B is the reducing or mixing drum. There are two of these, one onl each side, the one on the left in Fig. l being exposed by the breaking away of the arch of the brickwork, while the one on the right is not shown, being covered by the arch of the brickwork and access being had to it through an iron door cl. This drum, which is a closed or tight one, is mounted upon journals, so that it may be rotated, and to it, through a door P, is supplied the charge of crude asphaltum, and through a pipe D in Fig. l is supplied the charge of liquid asphaltum or other solvent from a measuring-tank E, which receives its supply from a suitable source through the pipe e. In these drums the crude asphaltum is reduced and is thoroughly mixed by means of interior devices, to be presently described, with the liquid 'asphaltuim and also in these drums the moisture is driven oiand the 0bjectionable lgases and-oils allowed to escape by means to be presently described, so that in due time when these results are accomplished the now mixed asphaltu n1, with all its contained impurities-sand, silt, and other foreign matters is run oit through connections F (shown in Fig. l) from each drum into a pair of settling-tanks G. In the bottom of these tanks are screw conveyers H, (see Figs. 8 and 9,) by which the sand, silt, and other foreign matters which settle to the bottom are removed from the tanks and discharged from the controllable outlets h, Fig. l, into suitable cars. (Not here shown.)

From the settling-tanks G issue troughs or connections Lwhich communicate with acooling-tank J. In this cooling-tank, in its bottom, is a pipe L, having a connection with air under pressure and having perforations, so that the air is forced into the tank and keeps the material therein agitated, so that when it is drawn ott it shall be of the same purity throughout.

K are tracks upon which run trolleys M, from the frame-bars ot which are suspended by roller-hangers m the ladles N, which are adapted to run under the discharges j from the cooling-tank and to carry the material de livered to them to any of the series of barrels O and to discharge the material gradually and successively into said barrels by means of a discharge-cock n.

This completes the general apparatus, and the operation thereof need not be further indicated, as it has been suciently described.

From this operation it will be seen the heat is distributed and at the same time a new surface of the drum is presented to the heat throughout the whole process of reducing and mixing, which obviates entirely the necessity of having to chip out any coating of coke on the side of the kettle and at the same time prevents all danger of getting any one part of the charge of asphalt too hot.

Experience has shown that a reningdrum or kettle such as I haveshown will run with- IOO out ever having to be chipped out and that the inside surface will always be perfectly smooth and only coated with a layer of asphalt, resemblinga coating of varnish. Another effect of the use of a drum such as l have shown is the violent agitation of the material, for by the rotation of the drum a different particle of asphalt is presented to the surface all the time, so that the material will give off the water and objectionable volatile oils more readily. This rotation of the drum also keeps the sand and silt in the asphalt in a constant state of agitation, so that it does not stick to the side of the drum. On account ofthe periphery of the drum exposed to the fire neverstopping for an instant in one place the iire never has time to overheat any one part of the plate, no matter how hot a lire is under the kettle.

As before stated, another important feature ofthe operation is that the moment the ma-` terial in the rotatingY drum becomes heated enough to drive off the water and objectionable volatile oils it is discharged from the dru m intov the next vessel-to wit, the settlingtank-.where it remains under only the necessaryvmoderate heat to permit a further step of-,the operation-namely, the settling of the sand, silt, and other foreign matter to the bottom. From this vessel the material is drawn off into the third vessel or cooling-tank, the object of which is to insure the furnishing oa-,reiined asphalt of equal pureness, which object is attained by the agitation of the charge therein upon-distribution, so that the Ysmall percentage ofsettlings which are still present will be stirred up and no one portion of the batch drawn off will be pn rer than another.

The novel details of construction relating to` thereducin g or mixing drum will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive. The drum itself, as beforestated, is a tight or closed one, the walls and periphery being made of suitable material properly braced and strengthened. The shaft Z9, on which it is mounted and with which, as an axis, it turns, is a hollow one, in order to provide for the arrangement of the devices for admitting air or steam and for the escape of the moisture-laden air and the dele terious vapors and oils. from the otherwise closed drum. The object of admittingair (or at that period of the operation when the material hasl been raised above the boiling-point of water the admission of steam, which will not then condense) is to absorb and carry off thewater contained in the material and also to carry off the objectionable gases and volatile oils. As shown in Fig. 4, there is across the end of the hollow axis or shaft a valveseat Z9', havinga number of ports Z92 in it, with which said ports the several air-pipes b3 communicate, said air pipes extendingalong in the hollow shaft and passing out therefrom through suitable connections Z91into the drum,

whencethey continue, as is shown in Fig. 2,

asv pipes Z95 to the periphery of the drum, and thence extend acrosstlie periphery as perfo rated pipes Z96. There are as many of these pipes as may be necessary, in practice about eight, and in order to provide for the entrance of air or steam through them always into the bottom of the drum, so that it will issue into the mass of material, it is necessary that only those ports Z92 which communicate with the 'then lower pipes shall be open, while the remaining ports-namely, those which communicate with the then upper pipes-shall be closed. To provide for this, there is a valve Z91, which is shown in Fig. 5 in elevation, said valve having a port or ports Z911, which, as the valve-seat Z9 rotates with the axle, are adapted to be alined by the ports of said valve-seat. The valve Z97 is so located that its ports Z98 are at the lowest portion, and therefore the alinement of the valve-ports Z98 and the valve-seat ports Z92 takes place only at the lowest portion, and therefore the communication with the lowermost pipes only is opened, the other commnnications being closed. A spring Z9J holds the valve firmly to its seat, and the air or steam passes in through the hollow end of the axle or the gndgeon thereof and through openings Z310 in a sleeve therein and iinds a passage through the valve-ports and valve-seat ports into the then lowermost air-pipes.

In order to provide for the discharge ofthe vapors from the drum without tendency to clog up the discharge openings and without permitting any of the material to pass out with said vapors, there are made in the opposite end of the hollow axle and within the drum exit-openings Z911. Secured to the axle and completely guarding these openingsis a shield Z912, preferably in the form of a cone. Around the shaft is-a flange Z913, the diameter of which is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the cone at that place to leave an opening or openings Z914. The gases and vapors in making theirv exit pass from the drum around into the enlarged base of the shield Z912, and

- thence through the openings Z914 into the body of the shield, and thence through the holes Z911 into the hollow shaft or axle, and thence outwardly through the end thereof.

The shield Z312 protects the discharge-openings Z)11 from any drops of the material falling upon them and cloggingA them, and the collar or flange Z913 presents a sufficient barrier to prevent any of the material working in through the base of the shield yand reaching the holes Z911, and if any of the material should happen to get inside of the 'conical shield its tendency would be to run to the bottom, and, due to the conical shape, would be linally delivered to the lowest point of the shield, whe-re it would run off onto the mass of'material in the bottom of the drum.

Within the drum and extending alternately from opposite sides thereof and at an angle are plates or flanges Z915, which serve asistirrersor agitators, by means of which the ma- IOO IIO

terial is successively picked up and dropped from one to another and from side to side, ,thus providing for the proper mixing.

The charge of material is supplied to the drum througha door P, which is shownparticularly in Fig. 3, and more in' detail in Fig. 6. As the drum is very hot it is necessary to provide a means for opening and closing the door wh ich can be operated rapidly and without unnecessary exposure to the heat. For this purpose'I have secured to the periphery of the drum a flange p, against which, through the intervention of a packing-ring p', the door closes. To both sides and the top of this ange are pivoted eyebolts p2, which operate in open-ended'slots p3 in the door and receive nuts p4 on their outer ends. To the lower portion of the flange are pivoted similar bolts p5, which pass through complete sockets p6 in the base of the door and receive nuts p7 on their outer ends. rlhese last-named bolts p5 serve as hinges, about which, as shown in Fig. 6, when the eyebolts p2 are relieved and thrown out of their slots, the door mayswing to an open position. The packing-ring p provides for a tight iit and the door may be opened and closed with facility.

The charge of liquid asphaltum which is added to the charge of the crude asphaltum passes into the drum through the controllinggate d, (shown in Fig. 2,) and as this gate is on the drum and must revolve, and asits communication with the measuring-tank E of Fig. l must be a iixed one, I provide for this by making the pipe D (shown in Fig. l) readily removable from its connections, so that when the drum comes to a state of rest it is easily inserted between the fixed connection from the measuring-tank E and the controlling gate or cock d, and then the liquid asphaltum is allowed to pass through into the drum. This gate d is not an absolute necessity but a great convenience, for if conditions demanded it the liquid could be runin through the main charging-door P. When the drum is about to be started again, the pipe D is removed and therefore presents no obstruction.

The charge of reduced and mixed material is drawn off from the drum through the controllable outlet Q, Fig. 2. It is obvious that this outlet, being upon the drum, must be free also of its connections. In order to permit the drum to operate and to make a suitable and accurate connection with this outlet,

`within the small limits of position at which the drum comes to a state of rest, I have the construction shown in Fig. 2.

The outer end of the outlet Q is in the form of a convex segment of a circle (shown at q) and forms the male coupling. q is the connecting-pipe, having upon its end the concave or female portion of the coupling q2, which is larger in diameter than the portion q and is adapted, when the connecting-pipe q is moved along lineally upon its supports or bearings qs, to engage with the portion q at any position in which said portion may lie The settling-tanks G are shown in detail in n Figs. 8 and 9 and need no further description than that given generally above.

The trough I, which leads from the settlin gtank lo the cooling-tank, is shown in detail in Fig. 10.

The form of conduit here shown I have devised for the purpose of overcomin g the difficulty experienced in the use of pipes in lilling up with the material and requiring to be constantly cleaned out at a loss of time and at a considerable expense. I have therefore provided for an open-topped trough the walls of which are made double to provide a steamjacket t', and by reason of having the open top the trough may be readily scraped out. The communication of the trough with the settling-tank G is controlled by means of a gate R within the tank, as shown in Fig. 8.

In Fig. l, S represents screen-baskets, here shown as suspended from the ends of the troughs I and adapted to screen the material as it falls into the cooling-tank. These screens may be placed at any portion of the course of the material and are to be used simply foi` the purpose of withdrawing such foreign matter as may dnd its way into the asphaltum and which would float instead of settling to the bottom of the settlingtanks.

The air-pipe L in the bottom of the coolingtank is for the purpose of stirring up and agitatin g the material therein as a charge is being drawn olf into the ladles, thereby making the output of equal purity throughout.

The ladles N, being mounted as described, are adapted to work longitudinally on the tracks K and laterally upon their suspendingtrolleys M, besides swiveling on their hanging device, so that they can be brought to position for any of the series of barrels, and in practice in order to not ll any barrel with too much of the material, which even then must be quite hot andl would have a tendency in large quantities to shrink the staves of the barrel and cause it to leak, it is customary to only fill a small portion into each barrel at a time, and for this purpose the ladles are moved quickly along from one .barrel to another, putting only the required quantity in each.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotatable closed drum for receiving the charge of material, means for admitting air or steam to the interior of the drum, and

` means for permitting the escape of the gases ICO 'I IO therefrom, consisting of the hollow axle of said drum having openings to permit the escape of gases from the drum and a shield fixed to and circumscribing the axle, and protecting the openings thereof.

2. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotatable closed drum for receiving the charge of material, means for admitting air or steam to the interior of the drum, and means for permitting the escape of t-he gases therefrom, consisting of the hollow axle of the drum provided with openings into the drum and a conical shield surrounding the axle and protecting said openings.

3. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotatable closed drum, having means for receiving the charge of material and having hollow gudgeons at its ends, a hollow axle passing through the drum, means whereby air or steam is admitted through one of the hollow gudgeons into the interior of the drum, said axle being formed with openings near the opposite side of the drum, through which t-he gases escape from the drum, and a conical shield secured to the axle and surrounding said openings, said shield having its enlarged base presented toward the discharge end of the drum, whereby the openings in the axle are protected and any material reaching the interior of the shield will be returned to the drum.

4. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotating closed ldrum having a means for receiving the charge of material, said drum having a hollow gudgeon communicating with its interior, a connection with said gudgeon for supplying air or steam to the interior of the drum, pipes in communication with said connection and leading through the hollow gudgeon into and along the periphery of the drum and perforated to permit the escape of the air or steam, and a means, controlled by the rotation of the drum, for permitting said air or steam to pass only into those pipes which are lowerm ost, whereby they discharge into the mass of material.

5. In an apparatus for reiining asphaltum, a rotating closed drum having a means for receiving the charge of material, said drum having a hollow gudgeon communicating with its interior, a connection with said gudgeon for supplying air or steam to the interior of the drum, pipes in communication with said connection and leading through the hollow gudgeon into and along the periphery of the drum and perforated to permit the escape of the air or steam, and a means, controlled by the rotation of the drum, for permitting said air or steam to pass only into those pipes which are lowermost whereby they discharge into the mass of material, consisting of a valve-seat on the gudgeon provided with ports communicating with the air-pipes and a stationary valve against said seat, provided with a port adapted to aline with the ports of the valveseat, only whenthe latter come around to their lowest position.

6. In an apparatus for rening asphaltum, a closed rotating drum which receives the charge of asphaltum and reduces it, said drum having a hollow axle provided with openings into the drum to permit the escape of the gases, and a conical shield protecting said openings.

7 In an apparatus for reiining asphaltum, a closedV rotating drum which receives the charge of asphaltum and reduces it, said drum having a hollow axle provided with openings into the drum, to permit the escape of the gases, a shield protecting said openings, and a flange or collar around the axle leaving openings around its periphery between itself and the shield, and acting as a barrier to the escape of the material.

S. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotating drum adapted to receive and mix the charge of material, said drum having a hollow axle provided at one end with airpipes leading into and adapted to discharge air around the inside of the periphery of the drum, and a valve mechanism at said end adapted to control the entrance of the air to the pipes so that only those which are lowermost shall receive the air and discharge it into the material, and provided at the other end with openings, a shield-plate guarding said openings, and a flange on the axle in the base of the shield-plate and separated therefrom, to permit the escape through the hollow axle of the vapors from the interior of the drum, and to serve as a barrier to the escape of the material.

9. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination of a rotating drum for reducing and mixing the charge, with the means for withdrawing the charge, consisting of the convex coupling portion on the drum, the lineally-movable pipe having a concave portion adapted to form a connection with the convex portion, and the screw for adjusting said pipe and its concave portion.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR F. L. BELL.

Witnesses:

WM. F. BOOTH, S. H. NoURsE.

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